CVC 15

AMBATO OPEN MARKET

Duration: 8 hours
Departures: Every Monday, 08:00 hours.

We will be traveling to the southern part of the highlands, through Los Chillos Valley and the "Volcanoes' Avenue", you can enjoy the marvelous view of the Cotopaxi the highest snow-capped volcano of the world and the crossing of rich valleys and cities as Latacunga and Salcedo. Then arrive Ambato The City of Flowers and Fruits.

Ambato is the homeland of well-known musicians and poets. It will offer you the opportunity to visit a market that reflects very well the combination between modern life and a native market.

The whole city comes alive in the market; in every single corner you will find retailers selling fruits, vegetables, kitchen utensils and unique handicrafts.

Enjoy a walk around its historic streets in search of handicrafts and you will be delighted to try a sublime specialty: "bread made of corn" with a lot of flavor.

In this region you will also be able to enjoy a pleasant meal in a hostelry close by. Return to Quito.

CVC 16

LATACUNGA OPEN MARKET

Duration: 8 hours
Departures: Tuesday & Saturday, 08:00 hours.

We will be traveling to the southern part of the highlands, through Los Chillos Valley and the "Volcanoes' Avenue", you can enjoy the marvelous view of the Cotopaxi the highest snow-capped volcano of the world and the crossing of rich valleys until reach Latacunga.

Here you will be able to witness the buying and selling of agricultural products and admire the colorful customs of this region. We will start our trip at Los Chillos Valley and the Volcanoes' Avenue.

You will be able to see how Latacunga makes use of its natural resources. The majority of the buildings in Latacunga are built with pumice stone. This material besides giving the city an interesting configuration provides its inhabitants with warm homes.

Whenever you want, make sure you try the typical food of the region: "Chugchucaras" that in Quichua means crackling. This dish contains, pork, cooked and toasted corn and fried ripe bananas.

But to make your experience unique, we will take you to lunch at one of the hostelries of the area. We will assure that you will never forget this magical moment. Return to Quito.

CVC 16 A

ZUMBAHUA & QUILOTOA

Duration: 8 hours
Departures: Saturday, 08:00 hours

We will be traveling to the southern part of the highlands, through Los Chillos Valley and the "Volcanoes' Avenue", you can enjoy the marvelous view of the Cotopaxi the highest snow-capped volcano of the world and the crossing of rich valleys and the city of Latacunga.

This indigenous community is located at the Cotopaxi Province. 67 km. from Latacunga, in our journey we will go by the small typical towns of Pujili, La Victoria, Tigua until arriving to the village of Zumbahua.

This great community where even stays the traditions and indigenous customs, the same ones that are represented in the crafts that this people elaborate, the most important characteristics that we can find in the paintings are the materials; like the skin of the sheep. As well as masks made in rush or walnut the same ones that represent mythical animals. The basketwork is one of the activities that the women of the community made preciously by hand.

Continuing with the journey we will arrive to the Volcano Quilotoa, one of the most beautiful places Zumbahua an inactive volcano that has a lagoon of turquoise blue water inside their boiler. After a walk for the surroundings, we have time for lunch, and then we will return to Quito.

Note: we can operate this program any day of the week but the main day for the Indian fair is on Saturdays.

CVC 17

PUJILI OPEN MARKET

Duration: 8 hours
Departures: Wednesday and Sunday, 08:00 hours.

We will be traveling to the southern part of the highlands, through Los Chillos Valley and the "Volcanoes' Avenue", you can enjoy the marvelous view of the Cotopaxi the highest snow-capped volcano of the world and the crossing of rich valleys and, visiting the market in Pujilí where you will be able to take a look at the everyday life of the Indians. You will also observe how they exchange products. Here you can buy good quality pottery, the best in the area. In fact, the entire town creates different types of pot figures, which are made by families. The colors that stand out are blue, yellow and green, etc. The most typical figures are moneyboxes, which are manufactured, in bold patterns.

As in the other programs, before returning to Quito you will have a delightful lunch at a local hostelry.

CVC 18

SAQUISILI OPEN MARKET

Duration: 8 hours
Departures: Thursday, 08:00 hours.

We will be traveling to the southern part of the highlands, through Los Chillos Valley and the "Volcanoes' Avenue", you can enjoy the marvelous view of the Cotopaxi the highest snow-capped volcano of the world and the crossing of rich valleys. Visit to the market in Saquisilí where all types of merchandise are sold.

Here you will be able to witness the trading of animals and food, an old customs, which still exists in some areas of our country. In fact, it will look like you are in an oriental market, due all the trading and activity. You will also be able to observe the Spanish influence in our aboriginal customs.

Afterwards we will have lunch at a hostelry to end a full day and we will return to Quito.

CVC 19

OTAVALO "THE CHARMING INDIANS"

Duration: 9 hours
Departures: Everyday 08:00 hours

You will be enchanted by the mystical Andean Range of mountains on a two- hours trip to the northern part of the country.

Be impressed by the figures made out of bread dough. These figures are manufactured in the small town of Calderon, usually all the family works creating these pieces of art.

On the other hand, in Cayambe you will have the opportunity to cross over the Equatorial Line. The majestic greatness of The San Pablo Lake wills captive you.

Between the marvelous mountains and the peaceful lake you will find an old town called Otavalo. It is the most famous Indian market in South America; there you can buy fine handcrafts like different types of weavings manufactured by its own inhabitants, such as shawls, ponchos, tapestries and sweaters.

Some of the outstanding characteristics of the natives of Otavalo are their outfits and cleanliness. The Otavalo Indians use to wear their ponchos all the time.

Afterwards, we will be having a good lunch at a nearby hostelry.

IMPORTANT: We recommend this program to be taken on Saturdays, even though the market is open everyday.
If Saturday were the case, the departure would be an hour earlier than the usual scheduled time and Peguche would not be visited.

• CVC 19A Chorlaví Hostelry or similar
• CVC 19B Cusin or Pinsaquí Hostelry
• CVC 19C La Mirage Hostelry

CVC 20

OTAVALO OPEN MARKET

Duration: 2 days
Departures: Everyday 08:00 hours

Similar to CVC 19 with the addition of one night at one of the hotels in the area and all meals included: one continental breakfast, two lunches (menu) and one dinner (menu).

IMPORTANT: If the first day of the program is a Saturday, the departure is one hour earlier than the usual time. The Indian open market at Otavalo will be visited and the Indian Village of Peguche will be visited on the second day.

LODGING

• CVC 20A Chorlavi hostelry or similar,
• CVC 20B Cusin or Pinsaqui hostelries
• CVC 20C Mirage hostelry.

CVC 21

SALCEDO OPEN MARKET

Duration: 8 hours
Departures: Sunday and Wednesday 08:00 hours

We will be traveling to the southern part of the highlands, through Los Chillos Valley and the "Volcanoes' Avenue", you can enjoy the marvelous view of the Cotopaxi the highest snow-capped volcano of the world and the crossing of rich valleys, Latacunga City and the Salcedo Market, one of the most important markets of animals and vegetables. Lunch at nearby restaurant. Return to Quito.

CVC 22

COLORADOS INDIAN REGION

Duration: 9 hours
Departures: Everyday 08:00 hours

We will be traveling to the southern part of the highlands, through Los Chillos Valley and the "Volcanoes' Avenue", and crossing the western mountain range and going towards the coastal region of the country. The route offers the opportunity to notice the change of vegetation at the different climate altitudes in the areas seen.

Visit to the zone of The Colorados Indians, one of the oldest Indian communities in the country. They maintain ancient customs of dressing, housing and bodily decoration. Lunch at a hotel in the area. In the afternoon, return to Quito.

CVC 23

COLORADOS INDIAN REGION

Duration: 2 days
Departures: Everyday 08:00 hours

We will be traveling to the southern part of the highlands, through Los Chillos Valley and the "Volcanoes' Avenue and crossing the western mountain range and going towards the coastal region of the country. The route offers the opportunity to notice the change of vegetation at the different climatic altitudes in the areas seen.

Visit to the zone of The Colorados Indians, one of the oldest Indian communities in the country. They maintain ancient customs of dressing, housing and bodily decoration. Lunch at a hotel in the area.

We add to this tour one night at a hotel in the area and complete meals: one continental breakfast, two lunches (menu), and one dinner (menu).

CVC 24 A

BAÑOS

Duration: 9 hours
Departures: Every day 08:00 hrs

We will be traveling to the southern part of the highlands, through “Los Chillos Valley” and the "Volcanoes' Avenue", you can enjoy the marvelous view of the “Cotopaxi” the highest snow-capped volcano of the world and the crossing of rich valleys and cities as Latacunga, Salcedo, and Ambato  “The City of Flowers and Fruits”.

CVC 24 B

BAÑOS

Duration: 2 days
Departures: Every day 08:00 hrs

Day 1.      We will be traveling to the southern part of the highlands, through “Los Chillos Valley” and the "Volcanoes' Avenue", you can enjoy the marvelous view of the “Cotopaxi” the highest snow-capped volcano of the world and the crossing of rich valleys and cities as Latacunga, Salcedo, and Ambato  “The City of Flowers and Fruits”.
During the trip there is a visit to an Indian open market (except on Fridays). Lunch in Ambato, then a visit to the area of Los Salasacas, the craftsmen of the region. Then continue to Baños, another small city “The Door of the Amazon Basin”. We will be staying at the Sangay Hotel or similar. If the weather allows, we will make a visit to the zone, to admire the beautiful waterfalls, and see tomatoes trees and a wide variety of orchids growing.